An inside look at the Fort Carson Fire Department and the challenges it faces

On the outside, it appears that the Fort Carson Fire Department is your typical fire station, but they have tools in their arsenal that no other department has.

Fire Chief Robert Fisher says there are five stations on the installation housing a total of 78 firefighters who respond to about 4,000 calls a year on and off post. Fisher says, “We’re all hazards, you name it, structure fires whatever the case may be.”

While it may seem like your usual department, this crew has some unique gadgets to battle blazes. Captain William Gates says Fort Carson not only battles fires from the ground, but also the air. Most recently during the 117 fire, “The cab units or the combat aviation brigades that actually supply Bambi buckets or water drops to remote areas of fires or fires that are out of control.” Those buckets can hold hundreds of gallons of water. They were also used during the Carson Midway Fire that started on post.

It’s important to note, during training, a fire truck is always parked nearby to prevent the spread of flames. Chief Fisher says, “So that we can rapidly be there and provide the initial attack on the fire.”

Another unique challenge, if a fire were to break out on post, crews have to be careful where they go. Especially since training could still be going on right next to them. “Whether it be un-exploded ordinances, whether it be that a unit is training in one area and we are battling a blaze in another area,” Fisher says, “there’s a lot more going on behind the scenes of the fire.”

And just like every crew, dealing with strong winds plays a huge factor in have to control these fires.